Chapter 27
The sound of my bedside alarm startled me, and I rolled over to cut off the news broadcast.I couldn’t believe I’d fallen asleep, let alonefor five hours.I yawned and stretched my arms above my head, and my tummy rumbled like I’d swallowed a thunderstorm.
Rolling out of bed, Imade my wayto the bathroom to relieve myself and then turned on the shower.
As the warm cascade tumbled over me, my thoughts drifted to Clayton. I played out what happenedover and overin my head, and although I’d let an incredible man slip through my fingers, I also knew I’d made the right decision.
By the time I’d showered and dried off,my rumbling tummy couldn’t be ignoreda moment more. With my bathrobe around my shoulders, I wandered to my kitchen, tugged open the fridge, and sighed. If acompletestranger looked in here, they’d thinkthe apartment had been abandoned. Even my usual survival staples of peanut butter and eggs were absent.
My stomach roared in protest, and Imade a snap decisionto treat myself to a meal out. Tying my belt around my waist, I strode onto my balcony to check the weather. The sun was still high enough to cut through the gaps in the tall buildings and cast long bolts of golden light onto the sand. A cool breeze whispered up from the ocean and tickled my skin.
Leaning on the railing, I inhaled the crisp, clean air. It was like an elixir, washing away all the angst that had filled my morning. The evening weather was perfect for dinner in anicecafé overlooking the ocean, and I knew exactly the right place.
The idea of eating out appealed greatly, and I dressed in jeans and a caramel-knitted sweater. I pulled on ankle-high boots and grabbed my Michael Kors tote that matched them perfectly. With my bag swinging off my arm, I headed out my door with thoughts of a thick, juicy steak waiting for me at Steakside.
Marjorie was all by herself at the reception desk, and as much as my stomach complained about the slight deviation from the plan, I headed toward her. “Hey, Marj.”
“Oh, hey, luvvy, how are you?”
“I’m good—hungry though. I’m heading out for a meal. Has it been busy?”
“Yeah, crazy busy.We’re fully booked. Last weekend of the school holidays.”
I huffed. “Yeah, I know. At least the hours go quickly.”
“You’re not kidding.”
“Anyway, I’m off to eat. See you later.”
“Okay, make sure you have a wine for me.”
I laughed as I turned. “Okay then, just because you asked.”
She chuckled with me, and the sound echoed around the marble expanse. I strodeoutthrough the gap in the sliding glass doors and down the front steps. Deciding to walk along the beach path, I strolledin the opposite directionto the abundant holiday crowds that were a standard feature on Cavill Avenue.
People were everywhere,mostlyfamilies taking advantage of the setting sun.Down onthe beach, dozens of people were in the water, which I imagined would still be cool. Too cold for me, anyway. The ocean needed to be like bathwater for me to swim.
Unless a hunk like Corben tossed me in. The thought of my Mr. Universe contender raised my spirits. Life wasn’t all doom and gloom—I still had a few regular men willing to see me, and I was willing to see them. And who knew how many more men I’d meet before mywonderfulsexual challenge was over?
I took my time, enjoying the scenery and letting my thoughts flit from one sexy man in my life to the next. It was heaven, really, and a rare occurrence.Normally, my brain was a crazy scramble of frightening thoughts.
A young family walked toward me. The father was fit, tanned, and utterly beaming as he carried a small toddleron his shoulders. The mother looked equally happy as she walked hand in hand with a little girlcarryinga bright pink bucket and spade.
With the beach setting in the background and their four beautiful smiles, this young family couldeasilybe declared Gold Coast pin-up material.Iactuallyfelt blessed to witness their united happiness, and my contented feeling hit awholenew level.
Twenty minutes after I left my hotel, I arrived at Steakside andwas greetedby a young woman with a petite frame and a big smile. “Good evening. Would you like a table?”
“Yes, please. A table out the front would be nice.”
She grabbed two menus and turned. “Okay, follow me.”
Her choice of table was perfectto capture boththe distant ocean and the walking traffic.She pulled out a chair, and when I sat, she handed me a menu and placed the other one opposite me. “No need for the other menu.”
“Oh, sure.” She gathered it up again. “Can I get you a drink?”
“Do you have Shaw Smith Sauvignon Blanc?”
“Of course.”
“Excellent. I’ll have a glass of that, please.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
The second she left, I grabbed the menu and scoured the selection. The eye fillet on the right-hand side was like a flashing beacon, and my mouth salivated as I contemplated which sides to choose with it. With my decision made, I flipped the menu closed and settled back in my chair to enjoy the scenery.
My vista was magnificent, andother thanmy hunger pains screaming at me, everything was perfect.A man at the neighboring restaurant caught my eye. He was side on to me, also looking out toward the ocean. His smooth, dark hair reflected in the flames dancing atop the Tiki torches dotted around his restaurant. The man reached for his wine, and when he inhaled it, Iwas remindedof my disastrous encounter with the winemaker.
I cast that crappy thought aside, determined to maintain my upbeat demeanor.
The man turned toward me, and my heart stopped.
He’s David Lawson, one of Memphis’s repeat gentlemen.
I snapped my gaze away, hopeful he didn’t recognize me. After a couple of frantic heartbeats, I glanced in his direction. He was still in his seat, looking out over the ocean again. I let out a long, slow breath.
“There you go.” The waiter placed my wine on the cardboard coaster. “Can I get you something to eat?”
“Yes, please.I’ll have the 250-gram eye fillet, medium rare, with mushroomsauceand blue cheese sauce,and I’ll have thepolenta chips and buttered greens.”
“Okay.” She finished writing down my order and lifted the menu off the table. “Thank you very much.”
A quick check of David confirmed he hadn’t moved. I was tempted to switch seats, but then I realized he’d only ever seen me as Memphis. With each ticking second, I relaxed a little more, and before long, I realized that my already perfect view had become even better with David in it.
He sat alone, yetthere wassomething about himthattold me he was happy.I guessed, like me, he’d grown accustomed to sitting alone at restaurants. It wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Lolita wouldgostir crazy if she had to sit by herself at dinner, or anywherefor that matter.
She’d die without someone to talk to. Itwas one of the reasonswhyI loved her.Lolita had a beautiful talent for making everyone feel welcome.
David captured my attention in so many ways.His movements were graceful,calming, and he looked every bit the confident, available man, which was so different from the David I’d first metway backin January.
I contemplatedthe ideathat he may be back on the coast to see me. Well, not me, but Memphis. My insides fluttered at that thought as my brain skipped to the last time we’d been together. He’d wanted me to teach him a few things.
AsI watched him sip his wine and glide his fingers through his thick, glossy hair, I wondered if he’d returned for another lesson.My pussy responded to my pondering with a couple of delightful pulses.
If he was ready to see me, I was so ready for him.
Mymeal arrived,and asI devoured the perfectly charred steak, Icontemplated what other delightful things I could teach David. By the time I finished eating, I was both full and excited aboutwhatthe next few hourswould hold.
David Lawson had just become my thirty-eighth sexual adventure. Provided he was staying in my hotel, that is. I’d be devastated if he wasn’t.
At seven o’clock, Davidwas servedanother glass of wine, so I pretended we were dining together and ordered another one for me, too. I wouldn’t normally drink before work, but what the hell. . . I’d had a tumultuous day.
When my wine arrived, I raised my glass to him. “See you soon, sexy.” I giggled at my silliness.
About half an hour later, David stood, so I tossed back the lastof mywine, grabbed my bag, and headed to the counter to pay. With one eye on him and the other on the handsome guy behind the cash register, I was torn between which way to look.
This yearsurehad changed me. I never pictured myself as a woman who perved on men. . . yet here I am, checking out the glorious eye candy.
By the time I paid and walked out of Steakside, David was just about to disappear around the corner ahead of me. I breathed a sigh of relief at his direction; it was toward the Hot Horizon Hotel.
By the time I reached the corner, I realized I had a dilemma—I had no idea which room David was in.And in addition to that, there was every chance he’d ask Marjorie about Memphis.Lasttime he’d visited my hotel, he’d come to the reception counter, and I’d just been lucky it was me working at the time and not somebody else.
A bold idea hit me, and as I quickened my pace, my heartwas setto explode as I committed to going through with it. With one last deep breath to calm my racing heart, I reachedhisside and looked up athim. “Hi. It’s David, isn’t it?”
“Oh, hello.” He blinked, maybe trying to remember my name.
“I’m Jane. Thenight manager at the Hot Horizon Hotel. We met last time you were there.”
“Yes, I remember. We met out the front on Easter Friday. I’m heading there now.”
“Excellent. Mind if I walk with you?”
“Not at all; I’d be delighted.”
David and I fell into stride together like anynormalcouple would do. I looked up at him. “Are you working on the coast again?”
“No, not this time. I’mactuallyvisiting someone.”
“Oh, a girlfriend?” Holy crap, why did I say that?
“Um . . . well she’s . . .”
“No, sorry, you don’t need to answer that. It was very rude of me.”
“Well, actually, maybe you can help me again.Hername is Memphis, and I left a message with you last time.If she comes in,can you tell her David Lawson is staying in room two?”
I silently sighed with relief. “Of course.”
“Thank you. I’ve been a couple of times and haven’t seen her. Maybe today’s my lucky day.”
A couple of times! Lordy!
How many times? My head spun. Who had he asked for Memphis? Marjorie or Needledick? I couldn’t keep up with all these men requesting me.
No wonder my boss was so obsessed with Memphis.
We arrived at the hotel, and at the top of the stairs, I decided I’d head toward Marjorie rather than hop into the elevator with David. I didn’t want him to see that I lived here, too. “Okay, have a good night.”
“You too, Jane.” David gave me a little wave and continued walking to the elevator.
“Hey, Marj.”
“How was your dinner?”
“It was great. Eye fillet, polenta chips, mushroom sauce . . .”
“Oh, stop it, you’re killing me.” She lightly slapped my arm.
“Anyway, I’ll see you in about”—I glanced at the clock—“an hour or so.”
“Okay, I’ll be ready.”
It took all my effort not to sprint to the elevator. Timehadgotten away from me. The damn thing took forever, as usual, and when it arrived, I jabbed the button for the third floor a dozen times and utilized the slow ride to decide what Memphis would wear tonight.
Back in my room, I applied my makeup in record time, and even though I knew I hadn’t used my colored contact lenses with David before, I decided that I’d need them this time. He’d looked into my eyes way too often on the way to the hotel, and I couldn’t risk him recognizing me.I plucked the blue discs out of the compact case andpopped them in with ease.
My cheeks were already rosy, thanks to the rush of getting ready and the two glasses of wine I’d had. It would probably also explain the nice, carefree feeling I had as I prepared for my next sexual adventure.
The contact lenses made the change in my appearance both instant andamazing. It was then that I realized my next issue—my black wig. It was well and truly past its use-by date.
I leaned over the basin, and as I stared at my reflection, I decided David would meet redheaded Memphis. Women changed their hairstyle all the time. . . especially women as adventurous as Memphis.
After plaitingmy hair and pinning it up, I tugged on the fiery red wig.
Plain Jane was gone, and Memphis was out to play.
Satisfied withhow I looked, I went to the closet and grabbed the black wrap dress I’d worn on my birthday. I held it to my body, and the skirt flaredoutas I twirled around. I smiled at my reflection and clutched the wall when the room started spinning.
Crap.Maybe I shouldn’t have gulped that last bit of wine.